YOU might call it the calm before the storm and with just a couple of weeks before the close of the transfer window, a few clubs are playing their cards pretty close to their chest.

None more so than Celtic and while fans cry out for replacements for Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson - and a few still harbour dreams of bringing in the creative midfielder the side was so desperately needing last season - the club continues to stall.

Kilmarnock have made a few new additions that could go straight into the side for what might well prove to be a crucial clash with St Mirren tomorrow.

ST JOHNSTONE: Veteran keeper, the 41-year-old Stevie Banks, is ready to take Alan Mannus’s place between the sticks against Ross County tomorrow.

DUNFERMLINE: Are considering offering freed Dundee United youngster, Robert Thomson a deal - but will not be signing ex-Celtic, Motherwell and East Fife forward Liam Gormley.

KILMARNOCK: Will aim to field on-loan Celtic kid Jackson Irvine tomorrow and the Australian could be joined in the squad by fellow new arrivals Barry Nicholson, Sean Clohessy and Mark Stewart.

HAMILTON ACADEMICALS: Hope they have unearthed another talent from the amateur leagues, signing up former Celtic youth Jaison McGrath from Bathgate Rose Boy’s Club.

ENGLAND

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Gareth Bale is apparently refusing to speak to his Spurs team-mates as he tries to force through his move to Real Madrid. Maybe he’ll start talking when someone cements him in training...

MANCHESTER UNITED: Davie Moyes says the club will sign new players before the window closes with United now linked with Mesut Ozil and Luka Modric of Real Madrid.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Steve Clarke looks like he is on the verge of snapping up Scott Sinclair from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal.

FULHAM: Have signed Darren Bent on a season-long loan from Aston Villa.

EUROPE

GERMANY: Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Brazil international Luiz Gustavo from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.